Sunday, October 19, 2008

Going 1-2 is hardly acceptable for a team with the talent that the Falcons possess.

First they dropped a game 6-3 in their rematch with the Providence Bruins. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk got the hook after facing 14 shots and stopping only 10 of them. It was the first of 3 consecutive starts for Dubnyk. Ryan Potulny added his team leading 3rd goal in that game. Rob Schremp had an assist in his '08-09 AHL debut

But more importantly, Gilbert Brule had to be helped off of the ice from an apparent knee to knee hit. That would be the last that anyone would see of Brule on the ice this weekend.

The 2nd game had the Falcons once again ending the game on the losing side. This time 3-2 to the Portland Pirates. Colin McDonald and Sebastien Bisaillon each scored their first goal of the season in the loss.

Finally the Falcons ended up winning their 3rd game in 3 days 4-1 over the team that knocked them out of the postseason picture last year, the Manchester Monarchs.Slava Trukhno, Stephane Goulet, and Tim Sestito all scored their 1st goal of the season. Sestito would go on to score his 2nd later in the game wrapping up the Falcons goal scoring.

Falcons Observations:The team seems much more inclined to roll 3 lines even minutes this season. No lengthy shifts, much quicker PP shifts, etc.

Theo Peckham was not nearly as physical in the last 3 games, and dropped a decision in a scrap with McQuaid from Providence. It could just be that the Oilers/Falcons want him to improve his positional play, it will be interesting to see if the softer play continues into next weekend.

Slava Trukhno had his best game on Sunday, despite collecting a point per game in his first 4 games, Trukhno wasn't really an impact player, today he was.

Rob Schremp needs someone to tell him to shoot the damn puck. In a continuation of his preseason play, Schremp is playing far too unselfish. He's had a few open shots that he passed up to make the pass instead. Only 3 shots in 3 games does not cut it for someone with his shot.

Taylor Chorney didn't seem himself this weekend. Trying to do too much at times, and at others he was flat out invisible. It could have to do with the fact that he went from right d to left d. Something else to keep an eye on next week.

Guillaume Lefebvre can scrap, but his play hasn't been at the level that it was in the Oilers training camp.

Sebastien Bisaillon had a VERY strong weekend, a goal and some solid physical play. Bisaillon is shaping up to be a legit NHL prospect, and unlike before, he can play the physical game as well as produce offense.